Australia head to England after sweeping a series against Scotland and with one eye on the future of their T20 game.
England v Australia – First T20
Wednesday 11 September 2024
Rose Bowl – Southampton
Like Australia, England are looking to the long-term with their squad selection as fresh faces are in line for opportunities.
This match will be the sixth T20I played between England and Australia at the Rose Bowl with the hosts winning three of the previous five while the Aussies have two wins to their name at the ground against the home team.
England white-ball captain Jos Buttler, has been ruled out of the upcoming series against Australia due to a setback with a right calf injury.
In Buttler’s absence, Welshman Phil Salt, who skippered the Manchester Originals in The Hundred this season, will lead the T20 side against Australia.
The Warwickshire duo of Dan Mousley and Jacob Bethell who are both left-handed batters who can bowl a bit of spin could make their international debuts, alongside uncapped Essex batter Jordan Cox and Hampshire fast bowler John Turner.
Leicestershire left-arm seamer Josh Hull is also in line play white-ball cricket for England for the first time after he was awarded a Test debut against Sri Lanka at The Oval last week. Surrey all-rounder Jamie Overton is the sixth player in contention for a limited-overs debut, after he was added to the group following the Buttler injury blow.
Australia have high hopes for the potential of all-rounder Cameron Green to be a gamebreaker in the T20 format and will be eager to see how he gets on in this series.
Pat Cummins has been rested for both series, thus T20 captain Mitchell Marsh will also command the 50-over side, while Australia’s opener David Warner has retired from international cricket following this year’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States.
The hard-hitting Jake Fraser-McGurk has usurped Warner’s position in the T20 squad, which also includes uncapped spin-bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly.
Australia won the most recent meeting between these sides which came at the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Verdict: Australia
Australia have a promising unit and could get on top of the much-changed hosts.
